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the enneagram gps: gnostic path to self

By Marcia Montenegro, Written March 2011

What is your number, the Enneagram asks. What is the Enneagram, you may ask
back. An increasingly popular tool of personality analysis, the Enneagram is a
diagram depicting numbers one through nine, with lines connecting each number to
two other numbers. The Enneagram was promoted by mystic George Gurdjieff
(1866?-1949) and by his followers, P. D. Ouspensky (1878-1947) and Oscar Ichazo
(b. 1931). Gurdjieff claimed to have learned the Enneagram from the Sufis (a
mystical spin-off sect of Islam), though many dispute this.

Psychiatrist Claudio Naranjo (b. 1932), a pioneer of New Age related
psychological theories, breathed new life into the Enneagram by refining it as a
tool of psychological assessment in which a person discovers his number in the
chart, and then studies the best and worst traits of that number via the
diagram. Each number represents a particular personality type, and is connected
to two other numbers, one which supposedly highlights the worst traits, and the
other representing the best.

Meet the Teachers

Gurdjieffwas an Armenian teacher of esoteric spiritual philosophies based on
knowledge he allegedly garnered during travels and contacts with secret groups,
which are recounted in his book, Meetings with Remarkable Men (in the beginning
years of her New Age journey, the writer of this article saw a movie based on
this book and was strongly influenced by it). However, these accounts were never
verified. Gurdjieff held that man is not aware of true reality and needs an
awakening of consciousness. He is widely credited as the first person to make
the Enneagram publicly known.

Ouspensky, Gurdjieff's pupil, presented Gurdjieff's ideas as the Fourth Way.
Ouspensky's teachings on the Enneagram appear in his books, In Search of
the Miraculous and The Fourth Way (http://www.endlesssearch.co.uk/philo_enneagram1.htm).
Like Gurdjieff, Ouspensky wrote about the Enneagram in terms of the "law of
seven" and the "law of three," based on Gurdjieff's view of the esoteric laws by
which the cosmos operated.

Oscar Ichazo, heavily involved in psychedelic drugs and shamanism,* asserted
that he had "received instructions from a higher entity called Metatron" and
that his group "was guided by an interior master."

Naranjo, the psychiatrist who studied with Ichazo in Chile, passed on the
Enneagram teachings to Jesuit Bob Ochs, who then brought it into Roman Catholic
circles at the New Age Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California, where Naranjo
taught ("A Closer Look at the Enneagram," Dorothy Garrity Ranaghan [South Bend,
Indiana: Greenlawn Press, 1989], 9).

Gurdjieff's legacy lives on today in many facets of the New Age Movement. The
New Age has inserted itself so subtly into mainstream culture, including the
health field (as well as hospitals), education, psychology, business, and
sports, that people no longer perceive it as alien. Indeed, some of these areas
have been willing, if not eager, vehicles through which New Age concepts have
entered society.

The Enneagram's True Essence

In the 1990s, the Enneagram star rose in the secular world, and several business
companies began to use it as a tool for personality analysis. At the time, this
writer found this odd since the Enneagram, technically speaking, is an
occult tool. There is no objective basis for the nine numbers, their categories
(such as Reformer, Helper, Achiever, Individualist, etc), or the alleged
relationships between the numbers. Most importantly, the Enneagram has as its
purpose a spiritual awakening.

The Enneagram purports to lead a person to not only self-understanding, but to
an integration of all aspects of the self and, ultimately, to an awakening to
the true Self. "Self" is capitalized because the Self is considered by the
original (and most contemporary) Enneagram teachers to be divine. The nine
numbers most likely originate with Ichazo's belief in the "nine divine forms" of
Self, a Self which supposedly has been subverted by ego distortions. There are
also the "triads," which is how "your" number is related both positively and
negatively through two other numbers. The philosophy for this is directly
derived from the esoteric values of Sacred Geometry and from Gnostic views of
the self as sacred and pure in essence.

The website for The Enneagram Institute (http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/)
openly refers to concepts from Gurdjieff and company, such as "the Work" and
"inner work," to refer to mystical work on the inner self. This "Work," as
expressed by Ichazo, involves transcending one's ego in order to find one's
"Essence." This is fundamental in Gnostic-based, Eastern, and New Age views.

In this paradigm, one's true self is divine and perfect, but through confusion
from wrong beliefs and misperceptions, one has identified with the ego, which is
the false self. Thus, there is the "true Self" versus the "false self," a
concept familiar to anyone who has studied Eastern religions or New Age
teachings. The Enneagram Institute claims that the Enneagram will uncover the
wrong view of self and lead one to realize the true Self and thus "live in
Essence;" that is, to live fully in the reality of the true divine Self (http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/spirituality.asp).

The reference to Christianity undoubtedly refers to what is sometimes called
"mystical" or "esoteric Christianity." This type of Christianity was often
claimed by Gurdjieff and other forerunners of the New Age, and in actuality is a
Gnostic (neo-Platonic) distortion of Christianity, not authentic historic
Christianity. Gurdjieff, his predecessors in Theosophy,** and those who followed
the various offshoots of Theosophy and related groups usually referred to
themselves as Christians and believed they had discovered the "true"
Christianity. Many today who follow New Age and other arcane philosophies will
claim to be mystical or esoteric Christians.

The fact that the origin of the Enneagram is spiritual, that its purpose is
spiritual, and that it was passed down through teachers of cryptic
spiritualities, should clearly indicate that its validity as any sort of tool to
understand self or truth is questionable at best.

The Enneagram's Penetration into the Church

In recent years, the Enneagram has crept into the Christian church. This is even
more startling than seeing it used in the secular world. Not only is it used and
promoted by some Christians, but it is even defended as a tool based on biblical
principles.

One Christian, Alice Fryling, who promotes and teaches the Enneagram, admits
that the roots of the Enneagram and most of the material on it is not Christian,
yet she advises people to do a lot of reading "about the Enneagram paradigm" to
discover their type (http://www.thetransformingcenter.org/pdf/April2006.pdf,
page 5). She considers the Enneagram to be a "very deep and complex system."
This is hardly a recommendation since this describes all occult and New Age
systems. Indeed, it is the complexity of such spiritualities that often makes
them seductive.

Fryling also claims that the Enneagram can "lead us to a self-awareness that
brings us to our knees before the God of grace" (page 2 at previous link).
However, from a Christian standpoint, it is only God's word that gives true
self-awareness -- the awareness of man's essential sin nature and need for
redemption, as well as convicting and shaping a Christian believer (credit for
this point goes to Viola Larson of Naming the Grace Blogspot). It is God's word
and the Holy Spirit that convict, teach, and correct man through God's truth
(Psalm 119; John 16:8; James 2:9; 2 Timothy 3:16).

Another well-known Christian advocate of the Enneagram, Suzanne Stabile,
promotes Richard Rohr and has taught the Enneagram at his Conferences. She
describes the Enneagram as "primarily a spiritual tool" (http://lifeinthetrinityministry.com/enneagram).

The Heretical Monk

Fryling asserts that Christian origins of the Enneagram go back to a 4th century
"desert monk," Evagrius Ponticus, who wrote on "life patterns" discovered by the
"ancient spiritual teachers" (non-Christians) who originated the Enneagram and
passed it on via "oral tradition." However, she gives no historical references
or explanation for the origin or validity of these "life patterns." One must
wonder if these so-called "life patterns" are the occult paradigms derived from
Sufis or other similar groups referred to by Gurdjieff. The "ancient spiritual
teachers" are pagan, not Christian.

Furthermore, Ponticus was influenced and inspired by the esoteric philosophy of
Neo-Platonism, a deadly mixture of Gnosticism and Christianity. Ponticus was
also a student of the heretical teachings of Origen of Alexandria. Ponticus
himself was later condemned for his teachings in 400 and 533.

It is mystifying as to why Fryling would use Ponticus as a Christian rationale
for the Enneagram. It seems that referencing this monk in a positive way would
be an embarrassment to any Christian, and, if anything, it gives evidence for
the non-Christian nature of the Enneagram.

Sacred Geometry and Physics

The reason given by the Enneagram Institute for the nine types is a Gnostic idea
of the "nine divine forms," and a presumption that man's natural essence is
perfect and in union with Divinity.

Advocates of the Enneagram point to the geometric proportions in the diagram
that illustrate the relationship of the numbers to each other as support for
their view that there is a special meaning and purpose to the diagram. This is
sacred geometry, an occult belief that shapes, patterns, or certain proportions
have special inner meaning. Sacred geometry is central to Feng Shui as well as
being found in a number of other occult arts.

Sacred Geometry most closely relates to occult divination, which in this case is
interpreting hidden meaning in shapes or patterns.*** Divination is the belief
that an image, number, or pattern conceals a hidden meaning or message and, if
properly interpreted, provides information or guidance outside any objective
support for this interpretation. The fact that there are recurring geometric
shapes and patterns in the natural world actually reveals that there is an
Intelligence as the source of creation -- the Creator God who by His power
created the world from nothing. Geometric patterns are evidence for God, not
harbingers of hidden messages that must be divined.

There is no objective basis for dividing personality types into nine types.
Astrology has twelve personality distinctions. Why nine? Why not twelve, seven,
or five? Re-tooling occult arts with psychology for contemporary times is an
ongoing process to gain credibility (and possibly to market new products and
practices). Mixing in a so-called psychological assessment does not validate
either the tool -- whether it be astrology or the Enneagram -- or the
psychological analysis itself. Psychology is rife with competing theories; one
can hardly claim any objective basis for a particular psychological approach or
analysis of personality.

The interview with Fryling cited above offers a list of books on the Enneagram,
including The Enneagram in Love and Work by Helen Palmer, an influential
proponent in the modern use of the Enneagram. Palmer is also a psychic. On her
website, she calls herself "an internationally recognized teacher of intuition
and psychology" (http://www.enneagram.com/helen_palmer.html). The website states
that Palmer is "a teacher of intuition, psychology and a point of contact
between them, the Enneagram, a matrix of personality structures that recognizes
nine observable points of view" (http://www.enneagram.com/index.html). Whenever
someone is described as an "intuitive" or a "teacher of intuition," you can be
sure the person is a psychic (even though the person may reject this term), and
is also likely a follower of New Age and/or occult philosophies.

Palmer's online course, "Using the Enneagram In Psychological Assessment and
Practice," has been approved by the American Psychological Association, and
taking the course earns the graduate and doctoral student 15 hours or credits of
Continuing Education credit (http://www.enneagram.com/online_course.html ) .

Credit is offered despite the fact that the course's page openly states that one
of the objectives is for the student to "understand the spiritual significance
of the Enneagram." Though not surprising, it is a sad commentary on our society
that the theories and advice of a psychic are taken seriously by psychologists.
It only further confirms the infiltration of New Age philosophy into the
mainstream.

Self-Absorption

As a former professional astrologer, one objection this writer has for finding
"one's type," is that our nature is such that we too easily revel in a label
that we can use as an identity, and then continue to view ourselves through that
filter. A Christian should strive to view himself through God's word; man-based
categories detract from and may blur or negate that perspective.

Focusing on the self easily leads to self-absorption. It is fine to know one's
strengths and weaknesses, but the Enneagram is not needed for this, especially
because 1) there is no objective basis for the Enneagram, and 2) the Enneagram
claims to offer solutions via an "awakening" to the "True Self." Using the Enneagram to identify one's type too easily becomes a pathway to its prescribed
solution.

Indeed, the Enneagram claims to be "a map of wholeness" and "a tool and guide
for exploring the depths of the human soul" that leads us "toward a deeper
realization of our True Nature" (http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/DevelopmentLevels.asp),
the "True Nature" being, of course, a divine "Essence."

According to Palmer (the psychic), "The ultimate vocation of the Enneagram is to
awaken the 'Inner Observer' in service to psychological wholeness, authentic
spirituality and ultimately compassion for ourselves and each other" (http://www.enneagram.com/index.html).

In contrast, Christians are being made whole and complete in Christ (Philippians
1:6; Colossians 2:10; 2 Timothy 3:17) through the sanctifying work of the Holy
Spirit

Occult Initiation

A simple investigation into the Enneagram reveals that its theories of
personality are based on esoteric teachings and an occult worldview. The clear
origin and purpose of the Enneagram is to initiate a Gnostic spiritual awakening
to one's alleged true divine Self, which is in itself an occult initiation. This
is the claim and goal of virtually all occult and New Age teachings. The purpose
of such initiation is a shift in consciousness, a change in the way one views
reality -- God, the world, others, and self.

Occult initiation can be found in many non-Christian systems, desired or not. In
Yoga and certain forms of meditation, it is the awakening of the Kundalini, the
alleged serpent-like power at the base of the spine; in Reiki, the teacher
"awakens" or "activates" the purported healing energy within the student; in
Eastern meditation, it involves being given a mantra (a word or phrase to be
repeated in meditation); Eastern gurus give their followers shaktipat, which
supposedly confers grace and arouses the Kundalini; and the altered states of
Eastern and New Age based meditations will certainly lead to occult awakening.

Occult initiations also occur spontaneously -- and unbidden -- if the person is
involved in Eastern, New Age, or occult practices. An occult initiation may
culminate in meeting one's "spirit guide," a disembodied being who is supposedly
one's spiritual teacher. ****

The Gnostic initiation or awakening is the occult counterfeit of the indwelling
of the Holy Spirit and His regeneration of the believer upon faith in Christ.
This regeneration, called by Jesus being "born from above" (John 3:3; see also 2
Corinthians 5:17), is supernatural, life-giving, and from God. Gnostic or occult
awakening is the kiss of death. Though it appears to open a door onto a shining
vista, its light is artificial and it brings the person only into bondage. The
true light is Jesus Christ: "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever
believeth on me should not abide in darkness" (John 12:46, KJV).

"See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception,
according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the
world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity
dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the
head over all rule and authority." Colossians 2:8-10 (NASB)

** The Theosophical Society, founded in New York in 1875 by Madame Helena
Blavatsky, includes Hindu-based beliefs combined with a belief that humanity is
guided by disembodied, enlightened "Masters" and other esoteric teachings whose
messages can only be interpreted by a few. Theosophy greatly influenced early
thinkers of the New Age movement. For the fascinating story of Theosophy, see
Peter Washington's Madame Blavatsky's Baboon (Schocken, 1996, paperback edition)

***Divination is also attributing hidden meaning to images such as with Tarot
cards; to numbers, as in numerology, also called arithmancy; or to patterns in
the natural world, as in astrology or palmistry; as well as seeking information
via occult supernatural means or sources .

****The writer of this article had spirit guides, the first one being introduced
via a guided meditation.